UN envoy Downer, TRNC's Eroglu agree to resume Cyprus talks on May 26

Talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus will likely resume on May 26, said newly elected Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Dervis Eroglu yesterday. He made the statement following his first meeting with UN Special Envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer since being elected president last month. During the meeting, Eroglu said that Downer had proposed starting a new round of direct negotiations on May 26 and that he had accepted. Afterwards, Eroglu described their talks as a cordial discussion of many issues. Eroglu said that he suggested that the peace talks be concluded in a specified timeframe and then go to a referendum, and that Downer agreed with this, adding that the negotiations can't continue indefinitely.